Junk Food JACKPOT

Receiving mail in Guatemala might just be one of the most complicated things you will ever have to do in your life. For unknown-to-us reasons, the postal service likes to hold hostage certain packages that arrive in the country instead of sending them on to you like they are supposed to.

In place of your package, you receive a piece of paper in the mail telling you to drive yourself all the way to the capital and bring the official citation you received, a copy of your passport, an official letter of authorization if someone else goes for you, a copy of their identification too, and a bunch of money just in case you have to pay to pick up your package that someone else already paid to send you. Hello, Fort Knox.

Yesterday, I finally got the package Mom sent me. I hated the hassle of dealing with the Guatemalan mail service, but trust me, THIS WAS SO WORTH IT:

On Being 15

Walking with Reina to Quinceañera waltz practice last night:

Reina: "So I definitely think it's a good idea that it's just us girls learning the dance right now."

Me: "Oh yeah, why?"

Reina: "Because me and my caballero (date/dance partner) don't really talk."

Me: "Well then why did you pick him to be your caballero?"

Reina: "Well, we were talking when I picked him to be my caballero. Now we're not."

Me: "Ooooh. Yeah, it's kind of bad that you girls have to pick your caballeros around February, but the Quinceañeras aren't until June. A lot can happen in between then, huh?"

Reina: "Ughhhh."

Oh, to be 15 again. No thanks, haha.

Jess Joins NPH in July!

Ok, ok, I've been given permission to announce this to the masses -- that is, if you haven't already heard.

Jess Barak is officially coming to NPH Guatemala in July!!!

When her plane lands here on the 4th, she'll join Sam and me and make it THREE -- count 'em -- THREE W&M-ers in our group of 20 or so volunteers. William & Mary...slowly taking over the globe. I'm ecstatic.

Jess will be teaching English classes to the kiddos, and we know she's going to be just awesome here. She is AWESOME.

And now, because I felt like checking out that handy "Photos of Jess and You" Facebook option, here's a little preview of what we can all look forward to post-July. :)

CAN'T WAIT!!

I like to call this slideshow, Carrie & Jess at some of the best places on Earth.

Carrie & Jess in Athens, looking down at the Acropolis.

Carrie & Jess in the Greek isles.

Carrie & Jess in restaurants in Rome.

Carrie & Jess...in bars in Rome.

Carrie & Jess at William & Mary.

And finally, Carrie & Jess at The Leafe...on Mug Night.

Story Update 8

Elaborate Alfombras for Semana Santa - In celebration of Semana Santa, or Holy Week, the children of NPH Guatemala created the beautiful, traditional alfombras -- carpets made of colored sawdust.

Snow on the Volcano?

Um, so yesterday there was snow on top of Acatenango, one of the volcanoes we can see from NPH. It had rained the night before, and it was maybe slightly chillier than usual, but still...sort of a mystery. Acatenango isn't that much higher up than we are at NPH Guatemala, and there was definitely no snow here haha. Apparently this snow thing only happens maybe once a year at most.

Crazy, right?

Kelly Daut, You Are the Best

Mail came today! And in it, was a package for me from Kelly! So, in honor of her, to everyone reading this blog: Kelly Daut is the best mail-sender I have ever met in my life.

Every time the mail comes to NPH, there's something there from her. And every time that happens, it makes me super SUPER happy. :)

Today, I opened up the envelope to find the newest (...hmm, should I even admit how tween bop this is?...ok, no shame, Justin Bieber) CD. Judge if you want, but it's really good stuff. Kelly and I have no problem confessing our similar and embarrassing likes.

So, LOTS of love to the best mail-sender out there. Love K. :)

Quinceañera Waltz Teaching Has Begun

Yes ladies and gentlemen, it is official. Fellow volunteer Sharon and I have begun teaching this year's highly-anticipated quinceañera waltz.

We have 8 weeks, 15 girls, their 15 dates, their 15 escorts, and a whole lot of pressure from all of these teenagers.

Right now we're practicing twice a week, girls only, and in May we'll start working with the boys too. After hours of quinceañera researching and YouTube watching, I am practically a quinceañera pro, so fear not, we have pages of potential dance steps typed up by yours truly.

Sharon and I are also spending a lot of time looking like idiots as we choreograph in the English office at night, but I think it's going to pay off. Yesterday's first practice went really really well!

You know I'll keep you updated, but for now, check out the song they've chosen! (Press Play and then give it a minute.)